This book examines what it takes for Latino youngsters to beat the odds, overcoming cultural and racial barriersaand a corrupt recruitment systemato play professional baseball in the United States. ac Provides a historical overview of the increasing numbers of Latin Americans in Major League Baseball and its minor league system ac Details the corrupt recruitment system in several Latin American countries that, in most cases, leads aspiring youngsters on a fruitless quest for a professional baseball contract ac Highlights the careers of players, especially Roberto Clemente, who became role models for young Latin American players ac Offers a brief history of the origin of baseball in Latin American countries, drawing on unique documentary material from the National Archives ac Uses recent, first-person interviews to share examples of how some individuals and institutions are attempting to reform the systemThat a buscA³n might cut corners, that he might bend the law to get his charge a
contract, then take a commission ... But the majors and even the minor leagues
were, tragically, for only the smallest of percentages of those 11- and 12- and 13-
year-old kids who, along with their parents, trusted ... So they start thinking they
can make money faster in baseball than anything else and they drop out of
school.